Join the Bureau of Land Management as a Land Law Examiner, where you will examine and adjudicate land and mineral cases that support the management of public lands and resources. We expect to fill 1 vacancy in one of the following locations. Learn more about these communities and surrounding areas below: Alturas, CA Cedarville, CA
Position Overview As a Land Law Examiner, you will play an important role in the management of public lands and resources by examining and adjudicating a wide variety of land and mineral cases. At the full performance level, you will independently research land status and ownership, analyze legal and factual issues, apply public land and mineral laws and regulations, and prepare decisions and other documents that support land and resource actions.
This work combines detailed research, problem solving, written analysis, and coordination with applicants, other agencies, and the public.
Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Review and process a wide range of land, realty, mining, and mineral cases for accuracy and completeness; develop facts and evidence; identify legal and factual issues; verify applicant qualifications, acreage, and land descriptions; and obtain additional information needed to make well-supported determinations.
Examine and adjudicate land and realty actions involving rights-of-way, land exchanges and acquisitions, withdrawals, conveyances, occupancy and use, land sales, and other public land actions; determine applicable requirements, fees, bonding, limitations, reservations, and conditions.
Review and process mineral leasing and mining cases involving permits, leases, mining claims, bonding, operator actions, agreements, and other mineral activities; determine applicant qualifications and evaluate cases for technical accuracy, legal adequacy, and compliance with applicable requirements.
Research and apply public land, mineral, and Indian land laws, regulations, legal decisions, policies, manuals, and other authorities; analyze and reconcile conflicting information, determine which requirements apply, and develop legally supportable conclusions.
Research and evaluate land ownership, title, rights, encumbrances, withdrawals, restrictions, and land status; review title documents and prepare leases, permits, grants, conveyance documents, and other records needed to complete land transactions.
Prepare correspondence, notices, and decisions that clearly explain case facts, applicable requirements, conclusions, and required actions; recognize unusual, novel, policy-sensitive, or potentially precedent-setting matters that require higher-level review.
Maintain accurate and complete case information in electronic data and recordkeeping systems; perform quality-control checks and ensure supporting documents and required environmental information are included in the official case record.
Communicate and coordinate with applicants and their representatives, Bureau employees, Federal and State agencies, legal staff, public-land users, and members of the public to gather information, explain regulations and procedures, respond to inquiries, and address differences involving land and mineral applications and actions. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.
You will be assessed in the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position.
Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.
https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification
This position is with Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.
The posted pay range is $50460 – $80243/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-10-23.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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